educationhttp://nwpr.org
enWash. Lawmakers React Along Party Lines To Teacher Walkoutshttp://nwpr.org/post/wash-lawmakers-react-along-party-lines-teacher-walkouts
<a href="http://cpa.ds.npr.org/northwestnews/audio/2015/05/050515-Walkouts.mp3" class="asset-audio"></a><p>Lawmakers in Olympia are in a special session to finalize the Washington state budget. Some teachers’ unions have decided to walk out for a day to appeal for more money in the K-12 budget.<p>Tue, 05 May 2015 23:27:19 +0000Austin Jenkins62481 at http://nwpr.orgWash. Lawmakers React Along Party Lines To Teacher WalkoutsWashington Lawmakers Discuss Education Funding Options for McClearyhttp://nwpr.org/post/washington-lawmakers-discuss-education-funding-options-mccleary
<p></p><p></p><p>Washington lawmakers are already days into a special session, but they still need to deal with a court mandate to fund basic education.</p><p>Lawmakers met today to discuss options.&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5;">They’re torn between competing plans to give more funding to schools.</span></p><p>In the McCleary decision, the state Supreme Court ruled that the Legislature was not fulfilling its constitutional obligation to fully fund education.<span style="line-height: 1.5;">Lawmakers need to find a way to do that before 2019.&nbsp;</span></p>Fri, 01 May 2015 00:36:15 +0000Ashley Stewart62270 at http://nwpr.orgWashington Lawmakers Discuss Education Funding Options for McClearyAs Students Refuse Tests, Washington Superintendent Warns Of Consequences http://nwpr.org/post/students-refuse-tests-washington-superintendent-warns-consequences
<p>The top education official in Washington State said teachers could face investigation and schools could lose funding - if the number of students refusing standardized tests keeps rising.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Washington superintendent Randy Dorn doesn't like the phrase "opt-out."</span></p><p>"It's really a refusal to take an assessment that's required by the federal government," Dorn said.</p><p>He said low participation rates could cost schools federal money.</p>Sat, 25 Apr 2015 00:52:38 +0000Rob Manning61991 at http://nwpr.orgAs Students Refuse Tests, Washington Superintendent Warns Of Consequences Idaho Governor Signs Bill To Boost Teacher Payhttp://nwpr.org/post/idaho-governor-signs-bill-boost-teacher-pay
<a href="http://cpa.ds.npr.org/northwestnews/audio/2015/04/040215JR_Otter_web.mp3" class="asset-audio"></a><p>Idaho teachers could start seeing raises as soon as next fall after Governor Butch Otter signed a pay plan known as the “career ladder” into law Thursday.<p>Thu, 02 Apr 2015 23:19:18 +0000Jessica Robinson60944 at http://nwpr.orgIdaho Governor Signs Bill To Boost Teacher PayTeachers Say Pay Plan Won’t Make Idaho More Attractive To Educatorshttp://nwpr.org/post/teachers-say-pay-plan-won-t-make-idaho-more-attractive-educators
<a href="http://cpa.ds.npr.org/northwestnews/audio/2015/03/031015JR_TeacherPay_web.mp3" class="asset-audio"></a><p>Idaho school districts say the state needs to offer better pay if it’s going to attract qualified teachers -- or keep the ones it has.<p>Tue, 10 Mar 2015 23:36:31 +0000Jessica Robinson59891 at http://nwpr.orgTeachers Say Pay Plan Won’t Make Idaho More Attractive To EducatorsIdaho Bill Would Let Parents Opt Their Kids Out Of Standardized Test Requirementhttp://nwpr.org/post/idaho-bill-would-let-parents-opt-their-kids-out-standardized-test-requirement
<p></p><p></p><p>Idaho parents who don’t want their child to have to pass the state’s standardized test for graduation would be able to opt-out under a bill in the state Senate.</p><p>Students would instead be allowed to go through an alternative assessment developed by districts.</p><p>Republican Senator Steven Thayne is sponsoring the bill.</p><p>“There are some parents that are very concerned by more and more testing. And one reason we’re bringing this bill forward is we’re trying to give a voice to those parents who have concerns,” Thayne said.</p>Fri, 20 Feb 2015 02:01:16 +0000Jessica Robinson58978 at http://nwpr.orgIdaho Bill Would Let Parents Opt Their Kids Out Of Standardized Test RequirementOregon House Committee Hears Bills On Standardized Testshttp://nwpr.org/post/oregon-house-committee-hears-bills-standardized-tests
<p></p><p></p><p>Oregon's House Education Committee heard testimony Monday on high-stakes exams. A work group of teachers and administrators has recommended less emphasis on end-of-year state exams and more focus on classroom-level assessments.</p><p>One House bill would delay using the new "Smarter Balanced" exam results to judge schools and teachers. Another would make it easier to opt out of the tests. Portland parent and teacher Elizabeth Thiel argued that bill should go further - and prohibit sanctions against schools like hers, where students are opting out.</p>Tue, 10 Feb 2015 14:43:44 +0000Rob Manning58513 at http://nwpr.orgOregon House Committee Hears Bills On Standardized TestsWhy So Many Idaho Politicians Say It's Time To Raise Teacher Payhttp://nwpr.org/post/why-so-many-idaho-politicians-say-its-time-raise-teacher-pay
<p></p><p>Starting salary for Idaho teachers is lower than in Washington, Oregon, and three other surrounding states. Superintendents in Idaho border towns say that’s left them with shortages. Idaho lawmakers in both parties want to raise teacher salaries during the legislative session. Mon, 02 Feb 2015 14:38:56 +0000Jessica Robinson58106 at http://nwpr.orgWhy So Many Idaho Politicians Say It's Time To Raise Teacher PayUO Graduate Teaching Fellows Call Off Strikehttp://nwpr.org/post/uo-graduate-teaching-fellows-call-strike
<p></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The Graduate Teaching Fellows at the University of Oregon called off their strike today after reaching a tentative agreement with administration. Bargaining teams worked through the night. the </span>GTFs<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> were on strike for 8 days.</span></p>Thu, 11 Dec 2014 00:26:31 +0000Rachael McDonald55712 at http://nwpr.orgUO Grad Students In Second Week Of Strikehttp://nwpr.org/post/uo-grad-students-second-week-strike
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5;">It's finals week at the University of Oregon and Graduate Teaching Fellows are in their second week of a labor strike.</span></p><p>University of Oregon spokeswoman Julie Brown said with Graduate Teaching Fellows on strike the school is giving faculty options for administering finals and giving grades.</p><p>"In some cases, finals are continuing as have been planned all term. In other situations, students may have the option to be able to take the grade earned on coursework to date," Brown said.</p>Tue, 09 Dec 2014 00:39:47 +0000Rachael McDonald55617 at http://nwpr.orgUO Grad Students In Second Week Of Strike